TIPA AWARDS: Manfrotto 494 Centre Ball - Best Tripod Head

JUDGES' CITATION: This ball head provides a wide range of smooth movement, helping to quickly and efficiently reach the perfect camera positioning. The 494 Ball Head is made from lightweight aluminium and can handle camera loads of up to 8.0 kilograms. It offers three independent ergonomic controls – a main sphere lock knob, a friction control knob for tension adjustments, and an independent panoramic knob which maintains horizon flatness while enabling camera movement. The head is supplied with the 200PL-PRO quick-release plate, an aluminium component that’s compatible with world’s most widely-used head attachments; Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-Swiss.

TIPA WORLD AWARDS 2018Australian Camera magazine is Australia’s only member of the Technical Image Press Association. TIPA started in Europe back in 1991, and has been gradually expanding further afield so there are now members in the USA, Canada, India, China, Brazil and, of course, Australia. Australian Camera magazine was invited to join in 2010, so this year marks our eighth attendance at the awards judging.

These judges’citations have been sub-edited to conform with our house style for elements such as measurements and numbers. In some cases, they’ve also been slightly amended to better suit the Australian market situation or enhance readability. Sensor pixel counts are the effective number rather than that the total (which is what we usually quote in this magazine).

There’s an exciting new world of fascinating subjects just waiting to be explored with close-up photography and, in this issue of Camera, there’s a comprehensive introduction to the equipment and techniques needed to get started in macrophotography. We also have comprehensive tests of Olympus’s new E-M1X high-speed mirrorless camera, Nikon’s Z6 and the most affordable digital medium format camera currently on the market, the Fujifilm GFX 50R. And for lovers of “must do” lists, we’ve put together the 20 classic cameras we think every photo enthusiast just has to own before they die. ON SALE NOW - digital issue available here

Like the idea of making some extra money from your camera gear when you’re not using it? Canon Australia has launched a program called Kyōyū – the Japanese word for share – to create an online community of potential renters and providers.

Leica’s popular fixed-lens full-35mm format Q model has been significantly updated in the new Q2 with a much higher resolution sensor, faster processor, new OLED-type viewfinder, fully weather-proofed body and 4K video recording, including C4K.

Lens maker Sigma has begun fleshing out its participation in the L-Mount Alliance, of which it is a member along with Leica and Panasonic. Sigma’s announcement is no doubt timed to coincide with the arrival of Panasonics first L-Mount Lumix S bodies.